Protection class

The degree of protection (IP) indicates the protective measures of an enclosure for electrical equipment, for example for UPS systems, against external influences such as foreign bodies, contact and liquids. It is specified in accordance with the international standard IEC / EN 60529 with the abbreviation IP (International Protection) followed by up to three digits, e.g. IP205.

Structure of the IP protection class:

• First digit (0-6): Protection against the ingress of solid foreign bodies (e.g. dust, tools, fingers)
• Second digit (0-9): Protection against the ingress of water (e.g. dripping water, water jets, submersion)
• Third digit (optional, e.g. 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9): indicates the mechanical impact resistance (used less frequently)

The higher the number, the better the protection. For example, IP65 means that the device is dustproof and protected against water jets from any direction.